The Union-Tribune and Times of San Diego have both posted stories about a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit filed on Thursday. A San Carlos Albertsons is alleged to have created a hostile work environment and harassed Hispanic employees by forbidding them from speaking Spanish on the premises, even to each other on break or to Spanish-speaking customers.

Beginning in late 2012, the Albertsons store on Lake Murray Boulevard near Navajo Road prohibited employees from speaking Spanish around non-Spanish speakers, including when they spoke to Spanish-speaking customers and during breaks, the suit said.

The EEOC alleges that Albertsons managers at the San Carlos location publicly reprimanded Hispanic employees caught speaking Spanish. The EEOC also contends that no corrective action was taken, despite numerous employee complaints, forcing employees to transfer to other stores.

You’d think that a grocery store whose employees were represented by the United Foodservice and Commercial Workers Local 135 wouldn’t be able to get away with such an outrageous policy, which apparently stemmed from a training video shown to managers and employees.

Mickey Kasparian, president of the union that represents local Albertsons workers, said he learned of the suit, and the case, Thursday.

Did his United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 135 help the grocery workers in their battle with management?

Kasparian said: “Only if they came to us and told us of the problem. No workers ever mentioned this to us.”

That’s not what the lawsuit says, according to the Union-Tribune coverage:

One on occasion, in October 2012, the manager scolded reprimanded both Zamorano, an employee since 2007, and Stevenson, an employee since 1989, “in front of the store” for speaking Spanish, the lawsuit alleged.

When Zamorano called Albertsons’ hotline to complain, the union representative who investigated the complaint told her “she needed to speak English because she was living in the United States,” and took no further action, the lawsuit says.

Labor leader Mickey Kasparian’s union has given $150,000 to support former Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña’s bid for county supervisor — a single contribution that is several times greater than what the candidate has raised herself throughout her campaign.

Campaign finance records show that a pro-Saldaña committee run by the San Diego Working Families Council — a consortium of labor unions — received the contribution from the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 135 on Wednesday. Both the council and the union are run by Kasparian.

The pro-Saldaña committee had previously received a $50,000 contribution from the Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 89, bringing the new total to $200,000 in donations.

Private polling was done earlier in the campaign reportedly funded by a Republican donor indicating the only way for Saldaña to have a shot at winning in the primary was through attacks on fellow Democrat Nathan Fletcher. The local GOP is still seething over Fletcher’s decision to leave the party.

From an article in the Union-Tribune following the Democratic Party’s early endorsement of Fletcher:

While Fletcher officially has the party’s blessing, other Democratic candidates and their supporters have been critical of the party’s move. One of the candidates, attorney Omar Passons, has complained that the endorsement process was nottransparent, and that some candidates, including himself, weren’t given a fair chance to make their case.

Another high-profile Democrat who is running, former Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña, filed paperwork to run after the endorsement process was long underway. Criticism of the party’s pending decision grew over the last week as political insiders circulated a February survey from the Lincoln Club, a Republican bastion, that showed, with certain messaging, Fletcher would finish third in the June 2018 primary campaign just behind Saldaña and former District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, a Republican.

The county Republican Party also launched an attack website against Fletcher and made hay over his tenure in the Assembly as a Republican, his campaign for San Diego mayor as an Independent, and his later membership in the Democratic Party.

It should be noted that the $150,000 contribution is in addition to an earlier $50,000, meaning there is $200K in the pot. Since the committee legally must be independent of the Saldaña campaign, you can be fairly certain this money will be used primarily for negative messaging.

Back when Mickey Kasparian was president of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Central Labor Council, he backed the mayoral candidacy of City Councilman David Alvarez against Fletcher in the special election following the resignation of Bob Filner. (The San Diego Free Press endorsed Alvarez in that election)

Kasparian’s UFCW and a handful of other unions loyal to him quit the Labor Council just as the national AFL-CIO was moving in to put the organization in trusteeship. He settled lawsuits (now under non-disclosure agreements) brought by four women claiming harassment and discrimination early in 2018.

I think this is all about revenge against his political opponents on the Labor Council and those who supported the campaign of Las Tres Hermanas to bring Kasparian to task for the accusations made against him by women.

The Central Labor Council has since come out of trusteeship. It recently donated $35,000 to San Diegans Opposed to Hypocrisy and Lori Saldana for Supervisor 2018. The United Domestic Workers also contributed $20,000 to the committee.

So, while San Diego should be building up for a big blue wave in 2018, $255,000 or more is about to get spent in a war of assured mutual destruction.

I’m really glad we endorsed Omar Passons in the current County Supervisors contest.

In the meantime, I propose that activists in San Diego focus on the things we can control, like supporting the campaigns of Matt Strabone (County Assessor), Dave Myers (County Sheriff), Geneviéve Jones-Wright (District Attorney) and Monica Montgomery (City Council D4).

Check out this week’s Progressive Calendar listings below. Following those listings are upcoming events of national importance, along with opportunities for organizational involvement.

Get your event listed: I try to list the next 10 days or so of mostly non-commercial events I think our readers might find of interest. I source my material from social media listings and press releases. Club meetings will be listed IF there are speakers and they are open to the public.

Democratic Candidates: I will list all non-fundraising events open to the general public. A listing does not imply endorsement. Events that are listed on Facebook as ‘private’ or sold-out are not listed. In cases where there are competing but similar events or campaigns of the progressive persuasion, I do my best to list everything.

Vote for Change! Intersections of Peace and Politics at USD

Those of us who want to see progress in San Diego find multiple opportunities to engage our “duty to fight.” It’s more difficult to engage our “duty to win.” And when I say win, I mean effecting fundamental, positive change.
Monica Montgomery, Genevieve Jones-Wright, and Omar Passons are taking steps to create fundamental change in San Diego by running for major offices. Monica is running for City Council, Genevieve is running for District Attorney and Omar is running for the County Board of Supervisors. This is our opportunity to engage the “duty to win.”At the Woke San Diego event held at SDSU, Monica, Genevieve, and Omar will explain what their prospective offices do and why the actions of city council members, the district attorney, and county supervisors matter to those who want to move this City and County forward. They will discuss how their platforms will advance the movement toward progress.The only way Monica, Genevieve, and Omar can implement their platforms is through the support of the community. We must ensure that they are elected to office by working together with their campaigns. Come to the Woke San Diego event and learn what we must do.

Walk and Knock Vista

Flipping the 49th depends on communities in Vista. We just need 2000 more voters to get to the polls next year to say NO to the President Trump Agenda. YOU can help make that happen!

No experience needed! We provide training, scripts, walk lists, breakfast food & snacks. Wear walking shoes, hats (or sunscreen) and sunglasses, and get ready to take some direct action and talk to voters.

Alianza Meeting

Saturday, May 5, 9am
IBEW Local 569
4545 Viewridge Avenue #100
For More Information
Hosted by IBEW Local 569

Alianza is a new club that seeks to further the purpose of the EWMC and IBEW by engaging with Latino communities throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties. Alianza will assist in creating meaningful community connections that will foster business opportunities and diplomatic ties with local elected officials. Come learn about opportunities to get involved!

Cinco de Mayo Super Walk

Help us celebrate Cinco de Mayo by spreading the word about the Fresh Vision and Fresh Leadership that Patrick MacFarland has to offer Chula Vista! Special guest Imperial Beach Councilmember Mark West will be kicking off the walk. Light refreshments will be provided.

Last Days in Ocean Beach is the story of William, a scientist working at the Center for Extinction Studies, a think tank at the College of the Sun funded by a green billionaire. William lives “on the border between dread and wonder” as he desperately works to raise the alarm about climate change and its dire consequences to an apathetic public, learns to live with grief, and hold on to love. Along the way, we meet the residents of his wonderfully shabby apartment complex in Ocean Beach–bikers, hippies, skate punks, adventure tourists, reggae singers, aimless young professionals, Iraq war veterans, decadent retirees, a hospice nurse, and a Buddhist monk, all of whom are searching for something, looking to live more fully. Last Days in Ocean Beach is a blues song moaning and rocking the beach party at the end of the world.

Jim Miller is the author of the novels Flash (AK Press, 2010) and Drift (University of Oklahoma Press, 2007). He is also co-author of a history of San Diego, Under the Perfect Sun: The San Diego Tourists Never See (with Mike Davis and Kelly Mayhew on The New Press, 2003) and a cultural studies book on working class sports fandom, Better to Reign in Hell: Inside the Raiders Fan Empire (with Kelly Mayhew on The New Press, 2005). Miller is also the editor of Sunshine/Noir: Writing from San Diego and Tijuana (City Works Press, 2005), Sunshine/Noir II: Writing from San Diego and Tijuana (with Kelly Mayhew on City Works Press, 2015), and Democracy in Education; Education for Democracy: An Oral History of the American Federation of Teachers, Local 1931 (AFT 1931, 2007). He has published poetry, fiction, and non-fiction in a wide range of journals and other publications, and has a weekly column in the San Diego Free Press and the OB Rag.

Danger Alert! Oppose SDG&E’s New Gas Pipeline Now

SanDiego350 is leading an effort to oppose SDG&E’s proposed Pipeline 3602, which would run all the way from Rainbow down to Mira Mesa, mainly along Route 15, but possibly going through Mission Trails Park.

This proposed pipeline, which is roughly five times the size of the existing pipeline, is expensive (costing ratepayers at least $600M), unnecessary, unsafe, and would commit us to building new fossil fuel infrastructure when we should be investing in clean energy and renewable energy jobs to avert the worst impacts of climate change.

Local energy experts believe that SDG&E’s real purpose in building this pipeline is to be able to export liquified natural gas from their Baja California terminal to other nations – something that should certainly not be billed to San Diego ratepayers. A preliminary decision on the pipeline at the Public Utilities Commission could happen in the next few weeks, and we are committed to mobilizing San Diegans to oppose this project through advocacy, education, rallies, and other actions.

Phone Bank for True Representation

Every Thursday in May our campaign will be hosting phone banks to connect with voters about the upcoming election on June 5, 2018. It’s time for change and we are urging community members to vote for Monica Montgomery for City Council District 4 so we can have a voice at city hall! Consistent with what we have done this entire campaign, we are also using this time to build lasting relationships and will sustain those relationships even after the campaign is over. Dialogue is key, and we have the responsibility to inform our community about what is at stake in this race.

Eve Simmons – Big Heart, Little Voice?

Eve is a decades-long Environmental Speaker, Congressional Liaison and Lobbyist, former Wildlife Guide, photojournalist, Fish and Wildlife Advisory Commissioner, and tireless Optimist. She’ll show you how to use the power of your voice and collective action to enlist broadcast media to cover and accurately report the climate crisis. She brings fresh, practical, and powerful tools to the challenges of climate change.

OB Green Center: Double Feature Film Night

“Trump, The Koch Brothers and Their War on Climate Science” Our planet is riddled with floods, rising sea levels, severe weather, drought, and the highest temperatures in recorded history. Up to 99% of climate scientists agree that the current trajectory of the climate crisis will lead us to an apocalyptic scenario of unimaginable proportions. So why do so many leaders in Washington stand in direct opposition to the science behind climate change? This 2017 documentary exposes the reasoning behind their willful ignorance, and the real power players who pull their strings. (32 minutes)

“The Breakthrough in Renewable Energy” This 2016 documentary by VPRO discusses the silent revolution that is moving across the world. Renewable energy is becoming cheaper than fossil fuels. It means that progressively the choice for wind and solar energy is no longer an ethical one but an economic one. And this will speed up the transfer to renewable energy. (46 minutes)

Film – American Socialist: The Life and Times of Eugene Victor

The film is narrated by Amy Madigan and features Jeremy Kittel, Fred Benedetti, Jeff Pekarek, Walt Richarda and the Hausmann Quartet on the soundtrack. Elizabeth Schwartz (ex. prod. co-writer) and Yale Strom will attend many of the screenings for Q & A afterward.

2016 Documentary “Under the Gun”

The San Diego County Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence hosts a look at America’s slow-to-change gun laws, which despite frequent mass shootings, have remained largely unaltered. This documentary features interviews with families of the victims of recent shootings, as well as NRA members and politicians involved in the fierce debate.

May 12

Last Days in Ocean Beach
Book Signing and Fundraiser

Join us for a book signing featuring local author Jim Miller. Jim has donated a box of his new climate-related novels to benefit SD350. Join us and help raise funds as well as enjoy and support local business, Torque Moto Cafe!

Walk and Knock Solana Beach

Join us Saturday, May 12th to talk to voters about issues that matter to all of us and the future of our country! This event will be co-sponsored by San Diego Indivisible Blue District Chapters!

Flipping the 49th depends on communities in Solana Beach. We just need 2000 more voters to get to the polls this year for the jungle primary on June 5th, to flip the district BLUE! YOU can help make that happen!

Walk and Knock Oceanside

Join us Saturday, May 12th to talk to voters about issues that matter to all of us and the future of our country!

Flipping the 49th depends on communities in Oceanside. We just need 2000 more voters to get to the polls this year for the jungle primary on June 5th, to flip the district BLUE! YOU can help make that happen!

I Believe That SHE Will Win! SDSU Students Canvass for Victory!

Hit the trail with the SDSU Students and Team Jones-Wright to canvass for Justice and support Geneviéve as our next District Attorney.

Come show your support for this campaign by speaking with voters about the upcoming election and why Geneviéve is the (W)right choice for San Diego County. If you have never canvassed before, don’t worry! We will provide training.

This event is free and kid friendly. Hope to see you there. Bring a friend (or two)! Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes.

SURJ (Showing up for Racial Justice)
White People for Racial Justice 101

Saturday, May 12, 8am
Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans – PANA
4089 Fairmont AvenueFor More Information

Join us for an interactive workshop where we will discuss the basics of white supremacy, privilege, and fragility. We will also go over practical tools for unlearning your own biases, identifying everyday racism and taking action to fight for racial equality. Breakfast will be provided.

Community Forum with DA Candidates

Get to know district attorney candidates Summer Stephan and Geneviéve Jones-Wright.

When someone is accused of a crime, the district attorney (DA) decides whether they will go to prison or get a second chance to rebuild their life. Despite the DA’s power, most of us don’t realize the impact she can have on our lives and communities.

Will you join us to hear from our DA candidates on this critical issue?

Call to Action if Trump Fires MuellerMarch for Truth—an organization that is working with dozens of advocacy groups to organize rapid response protests has partnered with MoveOn.org, Public Citizen, Indivisible and many others to prepare emergency ‘Nobody is Above the Law‘ rallies that will happen directly following the firing of the special counsel should it occur. There are already events in 800+ cities and communities scheduled across the country—more than 300,000 people are prepared to take to the streets.

By firing Mueller or Rosenstein, the president would trigger a full-fledged constitutional crisis by asserting that he is above the law. The hours following the firing will determine whether he is proved right.

Join the ACLU’s People Power: People Power is, at its core, a grassroots member-mobilization project. Through People Power, the ACLU will engage volunteers across the country to take action when Trump or his administration attempt to enact unconstitutional policies or trample on people’s constitutional rights. By mobilizing in defense of our civil liberties, volunteers will build local communities that affirm our American values of respect, equality, and solidarity.

San Diego Democratic Party Calendar Includes business meetings, chartered club meetings, voter registration events, election information, holidays, and other events of interest to Democrats.

Get Out the Vote is a Political Action Committee already working to educate voters about all three of these candidates as part of the Vote for Justice Campaign. They’re looking for volunteers to help with phone banking.

The ACLU’s Smart Justice DA Campaign is part of nationwide effort to bring common sense reforms to our criminal justice system. They are looking for volunteers to help with phone banking and canvassing voters.

Looking for some action? The Weekly Progressive Calendar is published every Friday in this space, featuring Demonstrations, Rallies, Teach-ins, Meet Ups and other opportunities to get your activism on.

Doug Porter

Doug Porter was active in the early days of the alternative press in San Diego, contributing to the OB Liberator, the print version of the OB Rag, the San Diego Door, and the San Diego Street Journal. He went on to have a 35-year career in the Hospitality business and decided to go back into raising hell when he retired. He won numerous awards for his columns from the Society of Professional Journalists in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Doug is a cancer survivor (sans vocal chords) and lives in North Park.